What was the aim of the Stanford Prison Experiment?

The aim of the Stanford Prison Experiment was to study the roles people play in prison situations. Conducted in 1971 by psychologist Philip Zimbardo, the experiment sought to investigate the psychological effects of perceived power, focusing on the struggle between prisoners and prison officers. By randomly assigning college students to either a guard or prisoner role, the researchers aimed to observe the interactions and dynamics that developed between these groups within the simulated prison environment. This focus on the behaviors elicited by situational forces provides insight into how individuals conform to social roles, especially in contexts where authority and power are involved.